Delhi Government To Offer Rs 2000 As Reward For Helping An Accident Victim

So often, lives have been lost in road accidents because no one helped the victims on time. The lack of sympathy and the reluctance to get involved in a police case has long discouraged passers-by to rescue accident victims. Of course, there are good Samaritans every now and then who come forward to help.

Fortunately, the Delhi government has approved a policy, aptly called the ‘Good Samaritan Policy’, under which people helping accident victims will be rewarded Rs 2000 for their kind gesture.

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said, “This scheme will encourage people to take accident victims to the hospital. Along with Rs 2,000, an appreciation certificate issued by the government will also be given.”

At a time when help often comes late in accident cases, this move should bring much needed relief. Till some time back, helping accident victims had its own set of legal trouble and hassles, but thanks to a PIL filed by SaveLife Foundation, a road safety NGO, the Supreme Court passed a judgment this year safeguarding good samaritans helping in accident cases.

“A Supreme Court order with regards to helping accident victims needs to be institutionalised better. That can only be done if people are motivated by giving them assurance that there is a law in place that will protect them. The monetary benefit is a great initiative but money is not the only factor when it comes to helping victims. It is the fear of legal hassles,” HT reported Saji Cherian, director (operations) of SaveLife Foundation.

We hope this move encourages people to help accident victims, if not for humanity, for the money at least.